All posts by smarc

arduino

Storing when an Arduino sketch was Compiled

Storing when an Arduino sketch was Compiled
/// These are found and replaced by the compiler.
#define CompileDate __DATE__
#define CompileTime __TIME__
String CompileYear = CompileDate;
/// These are for returning copyright information, and storing this information in the code.
const String Copyright = "Philip McGaw"; ///< Copyright company / person's name.
String Product = "ProjectName";                   ///< Project name. (Updated when I make a release).
String Serial_Number = "-1";             ///< Placeholder - This is the serial number of the microprocessor.
const int Software_Version = 1;          ///< Firmware version. (Updated when I make a release).

 

This is an example of the code allowing the data to be sent out via the serial port.
CompileYear = CompileYear.substring(7, 11); ///< Cuts the string so it just contains the year.
Serial.println((String) "© " + Copyright + " " + CompileYear + " - " + Product);
Serial.println((String) "Software Version: \t\t" + Software_Version + " (" + CompileDate + " " + CompileTime + ")");
Serial.println((String) "Hardware Version: \t\t" + Hardware_Rev);
Serial.println((String) "Serial Number: \t\t\t" + Serial_Number);

Serial_Number and Hardware_Rev should both be -1, as they are not set in the code above.

Source: Storing when an Arduino sketch was Compiled – PhilipMcGaw.com

microsoft, MicrosoftSucksAss, sysadmin, Win10, Windows

How to ALWAYS show all the Icons in Notification area of Windows

Use Control Panel to show the icons

To always show all the Icons in the System Tray or Notification area of Windows 11/10, via Control Panel follow these steps:

  1. Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.
  2. Enter this value: explorer shell:::{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}
  3. Tick the Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar checkbox.
  4. Click the OK button.

Source: How to ALWAYS show all the Icons in Notification area of Windows

pinball

Custom Pinball Index

Note that the BSOS project has been renamed to “Retro Pin Upgrade” – This was done to avoid any intellectual property confusion/issues. Until other areas have been updated, assume any reference to BSOS is the same as RetroPin Upgrade.

This is the site for RPU reference material and related things….

Source: Custom Pinball Index

pinball

NVRAM Info – Pinball Electronics from barakandl

NVRAM Compatibility List and Installation Locations
** indicates the original RAM is soldered directly onto the PCB

NVRAM installation requires finding the original SRAM chip and swapping it out for the new NVRAM module.  No instructions are included with the NVRAM modules.  Systems where the original RAM is hard soldered to the PCB good rework tools and skills are required to desolder the original RAM and install the included IC socket.

​5101 NVRAM

Bally / Stern AS-2518-17, AS-2518-35, MPU-100 = U8, MPU-200 = U8 & U13
Williams System 3 through 7 = IC19 **
Williams Defender (video) = U?? **
Gottlieb System 80, 80A, 80B = Z5 **
Zaccaria System 1 = IC7

6116 NVRAM

Bally / Midway 6803 = U4
Williams System 9 = U18 **
Williams System 11, 11A, 11B, 11C = U25 **
​

6116 NVRAM with /CE pullup resistor

Atari Pole Position (Pole Position II may not be supported?) = 7E
Bally / Midway MCR video games ; ​Demolition Derby = G5, Discs of Tron = B6, Domino Man = B2, Journey = G2,  Kick = D8, Kick-Man = D8, Kozmik Krooz’r = B2, NFL = G5, Satan’s Hollow = B2, Sarge = G5, Spy Hunter = G5, Solar Fox = D8, Tapper = G5, Timber = G5, Tron = B2, Two Tigers = B2, Wacko = B2.
(MCR locations need verified, if you notice any wrong let me know)
​

6264 NVRAM

Data East (Pinball) = 5D
Sega Whitestar = U212
Stern Whitestar = U212
Williams WPC-89, WPC-S, WPC-95 = U8 **
​

5114 NVRAM

Stern (video) Frenzy and Berzerk = 1E **
Williams Video Games; Blaster, Bubbles (need two), Joust, Joust 2, Robotron, Sinistar, Splat, Stargate = ?? **
​​
This is not a comprehensive list and the NVRAM modules will likely work in other equipment such as synthesizers, vintage computers, and other video games.  If you see any mistakes in the Bally MCR game list please let me know.  Check the Cypress datasheet about design considerations for retrofitting into other battery backed SRAM applications not listed.

Source: NVRAM Info – Pinball Electronics from barakandl

pinball

Pinball Makers

The Basics

Click above to get a rundown of the basic components that go into a pinball machine and how they are connected.

CobraPin Controller

Overview | Wiring | Troubleshooting

Open Pinball Project

Hardware | Getting Boards | Assembly | Programming

Wiring | Troubleshooting

P3-ROC Custom Pinball Controller

P-ROC (Pinball – Remote Operations Controller)

How It Works | How the Driver Boards Work

Installation | Controlling Coils

FAST Pinball Hardware

Design

Basics | Software

Construction

Tools | Materials | Whitewood | Cabinet | Electronics

Wiring | Displays | Lighting | Custom Parts

Artwork

Style | Design | Printing

Programming

SkeletonGame

Custom Games

Vendor List | Files Section

Source: Pinball Makers